Almost

by Mariam Jamal

Almost is a collection of poetry about love, family, friends, trauma, heartbreak, healing and acceptance. It is split into 3 chapters and each chapter has its own journey and path. The reader will feel the struggles of someone going through a trauma and experience what it felt like and how they will overcome it.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2022

About the author

Mariam Jamal a Bahraini reader, author and poet. Her writing journey began in 2016, when she started expressing her thoughts and feelings through poetry. Initially, her poems explored themes of heartbreak, love, and the bitter realities of life.
In 2022, Mariam took a significant step by publishing her debut poetry collection, "Almost". Building on her previous work, she followed up in 2024 with "Words I Couldn't Say", a second poetry collection that speaks about the struggles of life whether it is family, love, heartbreak and more. Her ability to connect with readers on a profound level is admirable. She would like the readers to know that they are not alone and she writes about it for them.
Beyond her poetry, Mariam has also ventured into self-help books. In 2023, she published a journal in both English and Arabic, offering readers the tools and guidance for personal growth and reflection. The journal is titled “The Path to Healing”, مذكرة رحلة التشافي It provides a space for individuals to reflect, write, and find solace in their own words.
Mariam's passion for writing is evident in her commitment to exploring the true meaning of life and addressing the often-overlooked struggles people face. Her dedication to her craft is complemented by a lifelong love of reading. Mariam's passion for books has been a constant source of inspiration. In her free time, she enjoys reading and sharing her insights through book reviews with her followers on her bookstagram account.
As her writing continues to evolve, so does her ability to evoke powerful emotions. With her natural talent, personal growth and dedication.

Reviews

[Abu Rafaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really well written, in simple English that’s easy to understand. I believe the author shared her personal experiences here. I could feel her pain in every word I read.

At first, I couldn’t relate much to it and thought it might be a book that only girls would connect with. So, I asked my wife to read a few pages. She got completely hooked. She read more than I expected in a single sitting, and I noticed tears rolling in her eyes. That’s when I realized the depth of the words in this book.

I picked it up again, with more interest, and ended up finishing it myself in just two sittings. It was an emotional rollercoaster.

I recommend this book to everyone, especially women, who wants to experience the journey of someone’s struggle, their love, their pain, their resilience, and how they moved forward from their past.

Thanks to the author, Maryam, for sharing this heartfelt experience through her book. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

[Khalifa Al-Rowaiei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read poetry books, but after reading this I might reconsider reading more.
I liked the simple language and words chosen by the writer which made the reading experience more relatable.
Although each poem consist of only few simple sentences, but it makes you think of a bigger story.
I would recommend reading it if you are looking for a light poetry read, or as an introduction for poetry books.

[Mona Kabir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sending me an ARC copy, Ms. Mariam. I really loved how you embroidered the words on each page. It's something different, yet it speaks to our emotions. The book is made up of short and long poems, prose, and quotes that reflect on one's thoughts. Keep up the good work, and I'd love to read more of your work.

[Sumaiya Noshin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the book, I went into the depth of each and every word and felt the pain and feelings that one goes through when hurt, rejected or traumatized. Some of the thoughts also related to my life, which made it even more interesting for me to read it. Starting from the book cover to its end #Almost is an amazing work! Wishing all the best to the creators of the book to be a success!!

[Sami_Darkangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word "almost" holds deep personal significance for me. It represents the near-misses, the close calls, and the numerous missed opportunities that have shaped my life. The author's use of this word throughout her book captured the bittersweetness of these experiences. It's very humbling to realise just how powerful this one word can be. Each chapter of the book takes you on a distinct journey, mirroring the flow of the healing process. From the depths of despair to the gradual ascent towards acceptance, the author's words paint a vivid picture of the resilience of the human spirit.

This book resonated with me on a profound level, and I am glad that I was able to come across such a beautifully written piece of work. The author's exploration of love, heartbreak, betrayal, pain, hardship, and loss mirrored my own journey in many ways. Though I never really recovered from my past, the author's viewpoint of healing and acceptance is truly very inspiring. Perhaps someday I too can stop living in the past and move on (heal) by accepting all that has ever happened to me.

I highly recommend this poetry book to anyone who has experienced trauma and heartbreak, or to anyone seeking solace and understanding. The author's ability to capture the nuances of these experiences is truly remarkable, and her words offer a sense of comfort and validation that is often too difficult to find. Looking forward to reading her future works. Easy five stars!